Well packer apparatus with hydraulic hold-down



NOV. 26, 1968 J, w, K|5L|NG 3,412,800

WELL PACKER APPARATUS WITH HYDRAULIC HOLD-DOWN Filed Aug. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i n I I I r Jamar l V. /(/J//0 q,E

INVENTOR BY flmzxw 'y ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1968 J. w. K'ISLING m WELL PACKER APPARATUS WITH HYDRAULIC HOLD-DOWN Filed Aug. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a/kmar 14 ///J///7 9;.E'

A T'IOR NE Y United States Patent 3,412,800 WELL PACKER APPARATUS WITH HYDRAULIC HOLD-DOWN James W. Kisling III, Houston, Tex., assignor to Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Aug. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 570,080 7 Claims. (Cl. 166-120) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Well packer apparatus having support and hold-down expanding anchors, and including a body member carrying hydraulically operable gripping means, a mandrel movable in said body member between upper and lower positions, bypass means for passing fluids through the packer, fluid passage means for communicating said gripping means with the interior of said mandrel, and valve means operable in the upper position of said mandrel to open said bypass means while closing said passage means, and operable in the lower position of said mandrel to close said bypass means while opening said passage means.

This invention relates generally to subsurface well tools and more particularly to a well packer apparatus adapted to be positioned in a well conduit and anchored against longitudinal movement therein.

A number of retrievable well packers which function to pack-off a well conduit are lowered on a tubular string into the well conduit, anchored against downward movement therein by slips and expanders and anchored against upward movement by hydraulically actuated gripping pistons. A fluid bypass passage is generally provided to permit rapid shifting of the packer within the well conduit. With the slips set and the bypass closed, fluids are displaced under pressure through the tubular string and the well packer and into the well conduit below the packer for performing various pressure operations such as squeeze cementing, acidizing or hydraulic fracturing, The pressures developed actuate the gripping pistons.

It is desirable to isolate the gripping pistons of the above-described type of well packer from fluid pressure surges which can be developed during rapid descent into a well. Such pressure surges can cause outward movement of the gripping pistons until their teeth engage and drag along the well conduit walls and are dulled or otherwise damaged to an extent that they will not function properly. It is further desirable that the gripping pistons not be in communication with fluids bypassing through the packer because the fluids may contain trash, cuttings or other foreign substances which can foul their operation. Additionally, it is desirable that a well packer 0f the type described be constructed and arranged in a manner whereby fluid pressures developed during a pressuring operation will not cause relative movement between packer parts to open the bypass passage and unset the packer.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved well packer apparatus constructed and arranged such that the gripping pistons are isolated from the pressure surges developed within the packer while lowering into the well conduit and are also isolated from foreign matter in the well fluids.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved well packer apparatus constructed and arranged whereby fluid pressures developed during pressuring operations will not tend to cause relative movement between parts thereof and open the bypass passageway or unset the packer.

3,412,800 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved well packer apparatus which is effective, simple and reliable in operation.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing an apparatus comprising inner and outer tubular members telescopically movable between spaced longitudinal positions, the inner member being adapted for connection to a tubular string extending upwardly to the earths surface, means for anchoring the outer member against longitudinal movement in a well conduit including hydraulically operable means movable outwardly of said outer member to grip the well conduit wall, a first passageway between said members providing a fluid bypass therebetween, a scond passageway through which fluid pressure can act to operate said hydraulically operable means, and valve means between said members actuated by relative movement between said members for opening said bypass passageway and closing said second passageway in one of said longitudinally spaced positions, for closing said bypass passageway and opening second passageway in the other of said positions.

The novel features of the present inventions are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by way of illustration and example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a well packer which embodies the principles of the present invention shown in connection with a well;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the present invention with parts in positions they will occupy when the apparatus is moved longitudnally in a well conduit;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the present invention with parts in positions they will occupy when the apparatus is anchored against the longitudinal movement in the well conduit;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section taken on line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a developed plan view of the J-slot and lug control mechanism utilized in the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a well packer 10 is shown suspended within a well conduit 11 on a tubular string 12 extending to the earths surface. The well packer 10' has a lower anchor assembly 13 adapted, when activated, to anchor against downward movement in the well conduit 11, a packing means 14 adapted, when expanded, to pack off in the well conduit, and a hydraulically operable gripping assembly 15 which is adapted, when activated, to anchor against upward movement in the well conduit.

Referring to FIGURE 2 for details of the packer 10 with parts thereof in running-in positions, the tubular mandrel is telescopically disposed within a tubular anchor body 21 for sliding movement therein. The mandrel 20 extends throughout the full length of the packer and a threaded box portion 22 at its upper end is adapted for connection with the tubular string 12 and its lower end has a threaded pin portion 23 to which a section of pipe or another well .tool can be connected.

The anchor body 21 has a reduced diameter tubular section 24 around which the pliant, elastomer packing means 14 made of rubber or rubber-like material is mounted. The upper end of the packing means 14 engages a downwardly facing annular shoulder or abutment 25 and the lower end engages an upwardly facing annular abutment 26 which forms the upper end of a typical expander member 27. The expander member 27 has downwardly and inwardly inclined outer surfaces 28 thereon and is retained against downward movement relative to the anchor body 21 by an annular flange which engages in an internal annular recess 31 in the expander member. However, the bore 32 of the expander is sized for sliding movement on the reduced section 24 of the anchor body and it will be appreciated that the expander member can move upwardly relative to the anchor body 21.

Movably mounted on the tubular section 24 of the anchor body 21 is a tubular drag block and slip cage member 35. A typical J-slot 36 is formed in the lower end of the cage member and cooperates with a lug 37 extending outwardly from the lower end of the tubular section 24 to permit control of relative movement between the cage member 35 and the anchor body 21. The J-slot 36, shown in developed view in FIGURE 6, has a longitudinally extending segment 38, a horizontal segment 39 and a relatively short vertical segment 40 in which the lug 37 engages when the parts are in a running-in" position shown in FIGURE 2.

The cage member 35 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially directed recesses 41 in its periphery intermediate its ends, each of the recesses receiving a drag block 42. The drag blocks are urged outwardly by springs 43 into frictional engagement with the well conduit Wall and function to resist movement of the cage member 35 in a well known manner. Outward movement of the drag blocks 42 is limted by coengaging tangs 44, 45 on the cage member and the drag blocks respectively.

A plurality of the slip segments 48 are movably mounted on the upper end of the cage member 35 by a plurality of links 48a. Each of the slip segments has upward and outwardly inclined inner surfaces 49 which mateably engage the inclined surfaces on the expander member 27 in a manner whereby relative movement between the slip segments and the expander member will cause outward shifting of the slip segments to engage the well conduit wall. A conventional tongue and groove connection (not shown) between each slip segment and the expander member 27 may be provided so that the relative movement between the slip segments and the expander member will effect movement of the slip segments to and from the wall of the conduit 11. Wickers or teeth 50 on the peripheral surfaces of each slip segment 48 are adapted to bite into the conduit wall and anchor the well packer 10 against downward movement therein.

A lower portion 52 of the mandrel 20 is of reduced diameter to laterally space its outer wall surface 53 from the inner wall surface 54 of the tubular section 24 of the anchor body 21 to provide an annular fluid bypass passageway 55 extending from the lower end of the well packer to a plurality of lateral ports 56 through the wall of the anchor body above the packing means 14. The mandrel 20 has a portion forming a valve head 57 and seal elements 58 are received in peripheral grooves thereon, the seal elements being normally spaced above the ports 56 when the parts are in their running-in positions so that fluids can pass from the bypass passageway 55 through the ports 56. When the mandrel 20 is moved downwardly relative to the anchor body 21, the valve head 57 is placed adjacent the ports 56 and the seal elements 58 are above and below the ports 56 to thereby close the bypass passageway 55.

The upper portion 60 of the anchor body 21 has a plurality of radial cylinders or bores 61 therein, each of which receives a movable gripping piston 62 having wickers or teeth 63 on its outer face adapted to anchor the well packer against upward movement when engaged with the well conduit wall. Of course, it will be appreciated that although a single radial series of gripping pistons is shown, several radial series could be used which} 70 can be either vertically aligned or circumferentially staggered. As shown in FIGURE 5, the gripping pistons 62 are pressed inwardly to retracted positions by springs 64 which bear against retainer bars 65 extending across the faces of the pistons and secured on both sides of the pistons to the anchor body 21 by screws 66 or other suitable fastening means. Each bar 65 fits within a diametrical slot 67 in the face of a respective piston to prevent the piston from turning in its cylinder and thereby insuring that the teeth 63 are properly oriented in the direction they will hold. Seal rings 68 encircle each piston 62 and fluidly seal between the pistons and the walls of the cylinders 61.

The mandrel 20 is formed with an external annular recess 70 behind the gripping pistons 62 to provide a chamber 71, and suitable seal elements 72, 73 are positioned in annular grooves in the mandrel above and below the chamber 71. The upper seal elements 72 are normally positioned above a plurality of lateral ports 74 when the parts are in their running-in positions so that the cham ber 71 is vented and in communication with the well annulus. In this manner, fluid pressures in the chamber 71 and the annulus are permitted to equalize as the packer is shifted lengthwise in the well conduit. The lower seal element 73 normally blocks fluid communication between fluids in the mandrel bore 75 and the chamber 71 via a plurality of mandrel ports 76 and an annular internal recess 77 formed in the anchor body 21. It Will accordingly be appreciated that the gripping pistons 62 are isolated from fluid pressure surges which often occur in the mandrel bore while lowering the well packer into a fluid filled well bore. Also, the gripping pistons 62 are isolated from any foreign matter which may be in the fluids passing through the bypass passageway 55 by the seal elements 57 above the bypass ports 56.

An internal annular recess 80 in the anchor body 21 above the cylinders 61 forms a chamber 81 which slidably receives an annular bias or balance piston 82 which is integrally formed on the mandrel 20. Seal elements 83, 84 fluidly sealed between the mandrel 20 and the anchor body 21. The upper face of the bias piston 82 is in fluid communication with the mandrel bore 75 via mandrel ports 85, and the lower face of the piston 82 is in fluid communication with the well annulus via body ports 86. It will be appreciated that any fluid pressures in the mandrel bore 75 greater than fluid pressures in the annulus will be effective as downward force on the bias piston 82 and thus on the mandrel 20, tending to move the mandrel 2 0 downwardly. The effective area P of the bias piston 82 can be made to have a value relative to the effective area M of the mandrel 20 such that the forces on the mandrel 20 during the performance of pressuring operations will be substantially balanced. In this manner, the bypass passageway 55 will remain closed during such operations and can be easily opened by upward pull on the tubular string 12 when desired.

In operation, the parts are assembled as shown in FIG- URE l and lowered into the well on the tubular string 12 to a desired setting depth. During lowering, the lug 37 is in the short vertical segment 40 of the J-slot 36 to prevent relative movement between the cage member 35 and the anchor body 21, thereby preventing actuation of the slips 48 and the packing means 14. With the lug and J-slot thus engaged, the valve head 57 and seal elements 58 on the mandrel 20 are spaced above the bypass ports 56 so that the bypass passageway 55 is open to bypass fluids around the packing means 14. The seal element 73 blocks communication between the mandrel bore 75 and the chamber 71 behind the gripping pistons 62 to isolate the pistons from pressure surges in the mandrel bore 75 and the seal elements 72 isolate the piston from any foreign matter such as trash or cuttings that maybe in the fluids flowing through the bypass passageway 55.

When setting depth is reached, the well packer is halted. The tubular string is lifted a small distance to free the lug 37 from the segment 40 of the J-slot 36, and the string is rotated at part turn to move the lug 37 into the long segment 38 of the J-slot, the drag blocks 42 frictionally resisting turning movement of the cage member 35. Then the string 12 can be moved downwardly to move the mandrel 20 and the anchor body 21 downwardly relative to the cage member 35 which is held stationary in the well conduit 11 by the frictional engagement of the drag blocks 42 therewith.

The mandrel 20 can move relative to the cage member 35 until the shoulder 29 engages the top of the anchor :body 21, this movement positioning the bypass valve head 57 and seal elements 58 to close the bypass passageway 55 from the ports 56 as shown in FIGURE 3. Also, the seal element 73 is positioned to permit communication between the chamber 71 and the mandrel bore 75 via the mandrel ports 76, and the seal elements 72 are positioned to close the chamber equalizing ports 74.

Further downward movement of the mandrel 20 causes the anchor body 21 to move downwardly relative to the cage member 35 and the expander member 27 to move downwardly relative to the slips 48 to expand them into anchoring engagement with the conduit wall. Continued downward movement of the anchor body 21 serves to compress and expand the packing means 14 into sealing engagement with the conduit wall and provide an annulus seal between the tubular string 12 and the conduit 11.

Fluids under pressure can now be displaced downwardly through the tubular string 12, the mandrel bore 75 and into the conduit 11 below the well packer 10. The pressure of the fluids is transmitted through the mandrel ports 76 and the recess 70 into the chamber 71 behind the gripping pistons 62. A pressure ditferential across the pistons sufficient to overcome the force of the springs 64 will move the pistons outwardly into gripping engagement with the conduit wall to anchor the well packer against upward movement.

Pressures of the fluids also act through the mandrel ports 85 on the upper face of the bias piston 82 and the pressure difference between these pr ssures and the hydrostatic fluid pressures in the annulus above the packing elements 14 will be effective as downward force on the mandrel 20 insuring that the bypass passageway 55 remains closed during pressuring operations. Of course, this pressure difference is also acting upwardly on the anchor body 21, but it cannot move upwardly because the pistons 62 are gripping the conduit wall.

When it is desired to release the packer, fluid pressure in the tubular string 12 is relieved to equalize pressures across the gripping pistons 62. The springs 64 then cause the pistons to retract and release. Pressures are also equalized across the bias piston 82 and the mandrel 20 can be moved upwardly relative to the anchor body 21 by upward pull on the tubular string 12. This movement will open the bypass passageway 55 and release the slips 48. Normally, the packing means 14 will retract due to its inherent resilience.

Any fluids such as cement slurry or acid can be reverse circulated from the tubular string and the entire mandrel bore 75. With the packing means 14 retracted, fluid can be circulated between the outer surfaces thereof and the conduit wall, around the lower end of the mandrel 20 and upwardly through the mandrel bore 75. Even if the packer means have not retracted, fluid can be circulated through the annulus, the bypass passageway and ports 55, 56, around the lower end of the mandrel 20 and up through the mandrel bore 75. Thus, in either event, full mandrel circulation is permitted so that no undesired substances remain within the well packer 10.

It will now be apparent that a new and improved well packer has been disclosed wherein the gripping pistons which anchor the packer against upward movement in a well conduit are isolated from pressure surges developed in the packer while running-in and from foreign matter that may be in the well bore fluids. Active forces due to pressures developed during pressuring operations will not open the packer bypass. The new and improved well packer is effective, simple and reliable in operation.

Since certain changes may be made in the embodiment disclosed without departing from the inventive concepts,

it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the attached drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

' I claim:

1. A well packer comprising: inner and outer tubular members telescopically movable between extended and contracted relative positions; anchor means and packing means for respectively anchoring said members in a well conduit and packing off the well conduit when said members are in said contracted position, said anchor means including hydraulically operable gripping pistons; fluid bypass means extending between said members from locations above and below said packing means and arranged to bypass fluid through said packing means when said members are in said extended position; and means for controlling the operation of said gripping pistons including first passage means for equalizing pressures across said pistons only when said members are in said extended position, and second passage means for fluidly connecting said pistons to the interior of said members only when said members are in said contracted position.

2. In a well tool, the combination comprising: a tubular body having expansible packing means and means for anchoring said body and packing means against downwardly movement in a well conduit; a tubular mandrel telescopically disposed in said body for movement between spaced upper and lower positions, said mandrel being adapted for connection to a tubular string extending to the earths surface; bypass passage means between said body and said mandrel adjacent said packing means for bypassing well fluid through said packing during move ment in a well bore; hydraulically operable means on said body expandable in response to fluid pressure for anchoring said body and said packing means against upward movement in the well conduit; fluid passage means for communicating the bore of said mandrel with said hydraulically operable means; and valve means between said body and said mandrel operable in said upper position of said mandrel to open said bypass passage means and to close said fluid passage means, and operable in said lower position of said mandrel to close said bypass passage means and to open said fluid passage means.

3. Apparatus for use in a well comprising inner and outer tubular members relatively movable between extended and contracted positions; anchor means and packing means for respectively anchoring said members in a well conduit and packing off the annulus between said members and a surrounding well conduit, said anchor means including hydraulically operable means movable outwardly of said members to grip the well conduit wall; a first passageway between said members through which fluids can bypass; first valve means for controlling the bypass of fluids through said first passageway; a second passageway between said members communicating with said hydraulically operable means; and second valve means providing selective communication between said second passageway and the bore of said inner tubular member so that fluid pressures developed in said bore can act through said second passageway to operate said hydraulically operable means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including port means in said outer member communicating with said second passageway when said members are in one of said positions; and third valve means for closing said port means when said members are in the other of said positions.

5. A well packer comprising: inner and outer tubular members telescopically movable between extended and contracted relative positions; anchor means and packing means for respectively anchoring said members in a well conduit and packing off the well conduit, said anchor means including hydraulically operable gripping pistons on said outer member; a first passageway between said members extend-ing axially through said packing means; first port means in said outer member arranged to register with said first passageway when said members are in one of said positions so that well fluids can bypass through said packing element via said first passageway and said port means; first valve means between said members operable when said members are in the other of said positions to block fluid flow through said passageway; a second passageway between said members communicating with said gripping pistons; second port means in said inner member arranged to register with said second passageway when said members are in said other position so that fluid pressures developed in said inner member can act through said second passageway to operate said gripping pistons; and valve means operable when said members are in said one position to isolate said second port means from said second passageway.

6. The well packer of claim 5 including third port means in said outer member arranged to communicate with said second passageway when said members are in said one position so that fluid pressures in said second passageway and the well annulus can equalize; and third valve means in said members operable when said members are in said other position to close said third port means.

7. The well packer of claim 5 including chamber means in said outer member; piston means on said inner member movably received in said chamber means; and means communicating one side of said piston means with the bore of said inner member and the other side of said piston means with the well annulus so that pressure differences between fluids in the inner member and in the well annulus will be effective as a force on said piston means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,858,099 10/1958 Althouse et al. 166226 X 2,880,805 4/1959 Nelson et a1 l66212 X 3,211,227 10/1965 Mott l66120 3,233,675 2/1966 Tamplen et al. 166134 X 3,277,965 10/1966 Grimmer 166120 3,338,308 8/1967 Elliston et al 166134 X DAVID H. BROWN, Primary Examiner. 

